Bowling pin loading apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Bowling pins are conveyed consecutively in an essentially horizontal plane along a common path alongside of which are loading bins, one each for the reception of a pin in a spotting position, the pins being conveyed along the path for transfer into the first available empty bin, the conveyors being preferably rubber ropes or belts with deflectors which are electrically controllably operated to deflect pins laterally if a pin is to be loaded.

United States Patent [191 Schmid et a]. A

[54] BOWLING PIN LOADING APPARATUS AND METHOD [75] lnventors: August Schmid, Schwerzenbach,

Switzerland; Georges Goens, Heverlee, Belgium [73] Assignee: Patentverwertungs-und Fianzierungsgesellschaft Serania AG, Glarus, Switzerland [22] Filed: Sept. 20, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 290,547

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Sept. 22, 1971 Switzerland 13872/71 [52] US. Cl 273/43 D [51] Int. Cl A63d 5/09 [58] Field of Search 273/43 R, 43 A, 43 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Scheppe 273/43 D [451 May 14, 1974 3,l9l,934 6/1965 Kalbfleisch 273/43 D 2,911,218 l l/l959 Scherzinger 273/43 A 3,248,109 '4/1966 Blewitt et al 273/43 D 2,920,891 l/l96O Sherman 273/43 A 3,248,109 4/1966 Congelli et al.... 273/43 D 1,190,651 7/1916 Hedenskoog 273/43 A Primary ExaminerAnton O. Oechsle Attorney, Agent, or FirmFlynn & Frishauf [57] ABSTRACT Bowling pins are conveyed consecutively in an essentially horizontal plane along a common path alongside of which are loading bins, one each for the reception of a pin in a spotting position, the pins being conveyed along the path for transfer into the first available empty bin, the conveyors being preferably rubber ropes or belts with deflectors which are electrically controllably operated to deflect pins laterally if a pin is to be loaded.

12 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures Pmnnsnmmm 1 3810.617

SHEEI 5 BF 7 SKIP SKIP CHAIR BIN PATENTEDIIAY 14 I974 SHEET 7 (IF 7 Fig. 12

BOWLING PIN LOADING APPARATUS AND METHOD Cross reference to related applications: U.S. Ser. No. 290,514 U.S. Ser. No. 290,533.

The invention relates to an automatic bowling pin loading apparatus for a pin setting installation and to a method of loading pins.

If the bowling pins are not attached to cords for reerecting them in their allocated positions after they have been knocked down, means are required for collecting the fallen pins from a pin pit at the end of the alley, for lifting and delivering them to a distributor and for then setting them down again in their correct positions on the floor of the alley. The operation of an automatic in stallation for setting up the pins in this way is complicated by the fact that the rules of some games permit a second ball to be rolled to knock down pins that have been left standing after a first roll. This means that after the first roll only some instead of the complete set of pins must be set up, namely those that had been left standing.

SUBJECT MATTER OF THE INVENTION Briefly, the method comprises conveying all the bowling pins of identical shape consecutively in a horizontal position along a common path alongside which are bins, each for the reception of one of the pins, and in deflecting the pins that are being conveyed along the said path into the first available empty bin in accordance with command signals.

The bowling pin setting installation comprises pin conveying means for carrying the pins past bins for" their reception, and pin deflecting means alongside the conveying means for the deflection of the pins into the bins, each deflecting means being adapted to occupy either an operative or an inoperative position according to a control signal, for example, whether the associated bin is empty or contains a pin, or whether an empty bin is to be skipped.

This simple arrangement permits the bowling pins to be directly conveyed to where they are needed. Play need not be delayed and the players can roll their bowling balls without having to wait. Moreover, an installation of the proposed type is not liable to develop faults and its overall height is fairly low.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of the bowling pin distributor, seen in plan;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on the line I! II in FIG. 1, showing an empty pin bin;

FIG. 3 is a view in the direction of the arrow A in FIG. 2, assuming that the pin bin now contains a pin;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on the line IV IV in FIG.

FIG. 5 is a section taken on the line V V in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a section on the line VI VI in FIG. 1 through a pair of return pulleys;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the bowling pin distributor; and

FIG. 8 shows a schematic circuit to control the deflectors.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of the automatic pin loading apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a vertical section of a tipping basket;

FIG. 11 is a section similar to FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a section similar to FIG. 3; and

FIG. 13 is a section similar to FIG. 4.

The bowling pin installation that will be hereinafter described is of the cordless type, ie the bowling pins that have been knocked over are not re-erectedby means of a cord attached to each of their heads. The pins are entirely loose and are set up in their appropriate positions at the end of the bowling alley by means of an overhead frame that can be lowered and raised.

When a ball has been rolled the fallen pins are raised by an elevating lift 86. The pins are directionally orientated in a device 88 so that their heads all face the same way and consecutively delivered to a pin distributor (see cross reference Ser. No. 290,514 which distributes them between a plurality of bins each so located that it permits the pin which is receives to be subsequently deposited in its prescribed position on the floor of the alley. If the installation is for a ninepin bowling alley there will therefore be nine pin bins 1 to 9 in the distributor. Eight of these pins 20 which are to be set up in the form of a diamond are of identical shape, whereas the king pin which is to be set up in the centre is somewhat taller than the others because of its crown.

The distributor which is shown in FIG. 1 comprises a fixed horizontal frame 10 made of angle sections supported by uprights 89. This frame 10 carries a plurality of pulleys for endless rubber ropes, cords or narrow belts for conveying the pins that have been delivered to the distributor. Located along the length of these conveyors are a plurality of deflectors ll 19 which are either locked in a pin deflecting position or tiltable into an inoperative position.

The bowling pins which have been lifted to the level of the frame 10 by conventional elevating means not specially shown, and which have been codirectionally aligned by conventional means, are first delivered to a first conveyor formed of a pair of rubber ropes 22 travelling over two pairs of return pulleys 23 and 24. The pulleys 23 are driven by a common shaft 21 mounted in, and extending from one side to the other of, the frame 10. The two rubber ropes forming the conveyor 22 are thus driven at the same speed and they are suitably spaced to convey bowling pins lying horizontally on the two ropes in succession in the direction marked by an arrow C. Let it be assumed that the deflectors 11, 12 and 13 between the two rubber ropes 22 are in their inoperative positions and that they will not therefore interfere with the transportation of the pins on this twin rubber rope conveyor 22. They will then be delivered to a first transfer conveyor formed as a further twin rubber rope conveyor 25 which is set at an angle of about 25 to the first conveyor 22. The deflection of the pins, which travel head first, from one conveyor to the other is effected by means of a curved lateral deflecting plate 29. The tv'vo rubber ropes of conveyor 25 extend between return pulleys 26, 27, the first pair of pulleys 26 being driven by a flexible shaft 28. The pins will therefore now continue to travel along the twin rope conveyor 25 in the direction indicated in the drawing by arrow D. At the end of this conveyor they are intercepted by a roughly semicircular deflecting plate 36 which receives the head of each pin and causes the pin to swing over through an angle of about 25 into parallelism with the position it had previusly occupied on the twin rope conveyor 22. The pins are then carried in succession came second twin rope conveyor 33 in the direction marked by an arrow E, parallel to first con veyor 22, but in thecontrary direction of travel. On this conveyor the pins therefore travel with their bottom ends foremost and the two rubber ropes 33 extend between two pairs of return pulleys 32 and 34. During their transportation on this twin rope conveyor 33 the pins consecutively pass deflectors 15, 16, 17, l8,but for the time being it will be'assumed that these are also all in their inoperative positions. Finally, upon reaching the return pulleys 32 the bowling pins are again deflected between two deflecting plates 37, 38 and thus received by a second transfer conveyor 39 formed of further angularly offset twin ropes which has ropes travelling over pairs of pulleys 40, 41. At the end of this conveyor 39 the pins are once more redeflected into their original position and carried on a third rope conveyor 35 in the direction indicated by an arrow F. This conveyor carries the pins past a final deflector 19. The two ropes 35 of this conveyor travel over two pairs of return pulleys 42 and 43 of which the pulleys 42 are driven by shaft 21.

A deflector plate which intercepts the king pin by its crown, so that the kin pin is longer than the other bowling pins, causes the king pin to be singled out and delivered by a ridge-like deflector to a special twin rope conveyor 44. The pair of ropes of this conveyor 44 travels over front and rear return pulleys 46, 47 parallel to the ropes of the conveyors 22 and 23. The conveying direction of this conveyor is the same as that marked by the arrow C. Consequently, with the sole exception of the king pin, the several bowling pins are carried by the described conveyors of which the centre conveyor travels in the opposite direction E to the two others which travel in the direction C and F. On the twin rope conveyors 22, 25 and 35 the bowling pins travel head foremost whereas they travel bottom end foremost on the second twin conveyor 33 and second transfer conveyor 39.

The rubber ropes which serve as conveying belts are backed underneath by supporting troughs 48 (FIG. 2)

which may be lined with antifriction material, contain pulleys, or the like. The shape of the pulleys which carry the rubber ropes is shown in FIG. 6. A shaft 70 mounted in the frame is fitted at intervals with ball bearings 71 which carry the pulley bodies 24, which are preferably made of a plastic material. The other pairs of pulleys are of the same or similar design.

The deflectors 11 to 19 which are tiltably mounted underneath the rubber ropes operate to transfer the pins travelling on the conveyors into pin bins 30 which do not contain a pin. The bottom of these bins consists of an elongated hingeably mounted gate in the form of a drop flap 2 9. The cross sectional shape of such a drop flap is shown in FIG. 2. Each drop flap 2 to 9 is mounted on a horizontal hinge pin 74 and can occupy any one of three different positions, namely a. an unloaded position, as illustrated in FIG. 2,

b. a loaded position in which it carries a bowling pin and in which it is depressed at an angle of approximately 25 in the direction of the arrow S in relation to the illustrated position in FIG. 2, and

c. a pin delivery position in which it is swung down completely in the direction of arrow S into a substantially vertical position.

Since the deflectors l 1 to 19, the pin bins 30 and the drop flaps 2 to 9 are of identical construction for all the pins excepting the king pin the following description will relate only to one drop flap 9 and one deflector 19, their associated parts and the manner in which they function.

When no bowling pin 20 is present in the pin bin 30 the position of the drop flap 9 will be that shown in FIG. 2. In this position a spring forces an edge 76 of the flap 9 to bear down on the projecting wing 58 of a deflectable cranked lock arm 50 (see FIG. 5) against the opposing resistance of a relatively weak spring 62. A shoulder 54.0f the lock arm 50 is thus kept in engagement with a locking extension 60 projecting from the deflector l9, i.e. in relation to the position shown in FIG. 3, the locking arm 50 is deflected in the direction indicated by the arrow M.

The deflector 19 is thus locked in the position it is shown to occupy in FIG. 3. The deflector 19 is mounted between the ropes 35 of the conveyor and it cannot be pushed down in the direction of arrow N. The other deflectors are each likewise mounted between the ropes of one of the conveyors 22 and 23. The deflector 19 has an oblique surface 31 which will deflect a bowling pin 20 that is being conveyed on the ropes 35 in the direction of the arrow T into the associated bin 30. The deflector 19 which projects obliquely upwards is pivotably mounted on a horizontal shaft 63. The locking arm 50 is likewise pivotably mounted on a horizontal shaft 52 parallel to that of the deflector. One end of the spring 62 engages a hole 65 in the locking arm 50, whereas its other end hooks into a hole in an extension 64 of the deflector 19.

When the bin 30 contains a bowling pin 20, the drop flap 9 will be depressed by the weight of the pin in the direction of arrow S below the position it is shown to occupy in FIG. 2. Consequently the locking arm 50 will now assume the position shown in FIG. 3 in which the extension 60 is no longer engaged by the shoulder 54, and the deflector 19 can therefore now be deflected against the resistance of the weak spring 62 about its shaft 63 to below the level of the rubber ropes 35. A bowling pin 20 which is being conveyed on the pair of ropes 35 in the direction indicated by the arrow F will not then be laterally deflected but remain on the conveyor 35, since the deflector 19 can yield under the weight of the travelling bowling pin 20 and swing into its inoperative position in the direction indicated by arrow N.

A bowling pin 20 contained inside the bin 30 therefore has the effect of depressing the drop flap 9 in the direction of arrow S sufficiently for a projection 72 underneath the flap to swing into contact with the side 78 of a pivoted release lever 66. The drop flap 19 remains in this position until a tipping basket 87 (FIG. 10) underneath the bin 30 is free to receive a bowling pin as more fully explained in copending application Ser. No. 290,514 filed concurrently. When this is the case two flaps 80 (FIG. 10) which grip the neck of a bowling pin in the basket are electromagnetically opened. The open flaps on the baskets 87, which are tiltably mounted on a frame (FIG. 9) adapted to be lowered and raised, strike the bottom end 68 of the release lever 66 as the moving frame approaches its upper end position. The release lever 66 therefore tilts about its pivot 67 in the direction indicated by the arrow R (FIG. 3) and ceases to retain the projection 72 of the drop flap 9. The latter is therefore now free to drop in the direction of arrow S into its vertical position in which it allows the bowling pin 20 to fall out of the bin 30. This pin 20 falls into the empty 87 basket underneath. During this process the deflector 19 is retained in its ineffective depressed position by a face 56 of the locking arm 50. However, as soon as the bowling pin 20 has been dropped out of the bin 30 the drop flap 9 is returned by its spring into its original position, so the next pin brought up on the rubber ropes 35 will be deflected by the deflector into the bin 30.

The described sequence of events repeats itself in the case of all the bowling pins excepting the king pin. By virtue of its greater length due to the presence of the crown the king pin is diverted by a diverter arrangement. This diverter arrangement may include a gate in advance of the first twin rope conveyor 22, the gate being operated by sensing devices which sense the extra length of the king pin. The diverter then diverts the king pin into the track of the twin rope conveyor 44 and is deflected into its allocated bin by a fixed deflector 14, the bottom of this bin being likewise provided with a drop flap 5. In other words, a fixed deflector 14 here takes the place of a movable deflector. Otherwise the arrangement including the release 66 and so forth is the same as for the other pins.

Those bowling pins 20 which are of identical configuration and shape are conveyed in succession past the several bins 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 and 8 and are diverted by the deflectors 19 into the bins 30 as soon as these become empty. Surplus bowling pins which have found no empty bin may be ejected over the final pulleys 43 and return down a chute into the pin pit, the described operating cycle being repeated; alternatively, the conveyors can be temporarily stopped by a switch triggered by presence of an undiverted pin at the last diverter 19. The method and apparatus may be used for various kinds or types of bowling games, such as 9 pin (sometimes called skittles), 10 pin (usually called bowling), or the like, the pins being set up in diamond form, in triangular form, or as desired.

The king pin can be sensed by a length sensor which includes a pair of flaps which together operate a switching arrangement which is normally opened if both flaps are in a release position with respect to the track when a pin is present, thus indicating a normal size pin. Ifone of the gates is in interfering position, however, extra length of a pin is sensed, thus causing closing of the switching system to operate a solenoid which, in turn, swings a diverter plate from the conveyor 22 to conveyor 44.

If loading ofa specific pin is not desired, electromagnetic solenoid I00 (FIG. 12), suitably secured to the frame, is energized and exerts a pull on connecting link 10! which is connected to lever 50 to bring the lever into position simulating presence of a pin in the bin, that is, to hold the lever in inoperative position. Switch 105 (FIG. 8) is provided for each bin which, when closed, energizes solenoid 100. The switch may be manually controllable. Presence of a pin in a basket may be simulated in various ways. For example, the holders 80 (FIG. 3) on the basket themselves may be placed in a position as ifa pin were in the basket, thus being a non-interfering position with respect to end 68 oflever 66, and not permitting release of lever 9. Alternatively, presence ofa pin in a basket may be simulated by a plunger 11! (FIG. 13) operated by a solenoid 110 which has a link that can be extended to interfering position retaining projection 72 in position and preventing dropping of a pin into the basket. Switch ll5controls solenoid 110. This switch may be manually operated or controlled by a control panel which may be set to energize all switches associated with baskets which do not pick up pins upon downward stroke of the pin setting frame in order to program a game in which, after a ball is thrown. and only part of the pins are struck down, the remaining pins left standing will be reset for another throw of the ball.

Various changes and modifications may be made within the inventive concept.

We claim:

1. Method of loading an automatic bowling pin setting installation having bins allocated to individual bowling pin positions comprising establishing a conveyor path having reversely directed portions and including at least one reversa point;

locating the bins at both sides along the reversely directed conveyor path portions;

consecutively conveying the bowling pins in a substantially horizontal position in a first direction along a substantially rectilinear portion of said conveyor path;

conveying said bowling pins in said substantially horizontal position in a second substantially rectilinear portion of said path extending essentially parallel to said first portion of said path, and in a direction of movement counter said first direction; sensing whether a bin is empty or full;

diverting the pins from the portions of said path adjacent a bin first available to receive a pin and inhibiting diversion of a pin when conveyed alongside a full bin, as determined by said sensing of the state of the bin;

and transferring the pins successively, from the first portion of said path to the second portion of the path.

2. Bowling pin loading apparatus comprising a support frame (10);

bins (30) located on the support frame, each provided with a bottom drop flap (1-9);

conveyor means (22, 33, 35) carrying bowling pins (20) past the bins (30) for reception of a pin (20), each in a bin (30);

a plurality of pin deflecting means (ll-J9) located along the path of the conveyor means to deflect pins (20) into the bins (30), the deflecting means being movable between a diverting and a nondiverting position;

a locking element (50) engageable with each of the pin deflecting means (11-19) and movable between a locked position in which it locks a respective pin deflecting means (IL-19) in diverting position, and an unlocked position in which it is moved in non-interfering position with said deflecting means;

resilient means (62) permitting movement of the re spective deflecting means into non-diverting position when said locking means is in non-interfering position;

the respective drop flap (l-9) being operatively connected to and moving said locking element (50) in non-interfering position when depressed by a pin (20) in a bin (30); and

the respective drop flap (l-9) thus sensing whether a bin (30) is loaded with a pin (20) or empty and thus controlling operation of said deflecting means through said locking element to divert a pin when the bin is empty and allowing the deflecting means to be moved to non-diverting position when the bin is full.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the conveyor means comprises oppositely movable twin belt conveyors, each including a pair of parallel travelling endless narrow belt means (22, 33, 35, 44) spaced from each other to carry a bowling pin (20) in horizontal position therebetween;

and transfer means (29, 36, 37, 38) located at terminal positions of said oppositely movable twin belt conveyors and positioned to transfer bowling pins from one conveyor to another of said oppositely movable conveyors.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein at least three twin belt conveyors (22, 33, 35) are provided, the center conveyor travelling in a direction opposite to that of the two outside conveyors.

5. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the de fleeting means comprises a skewed plate-like element (31) which, when moved into the diverting position, extends obliquely upwardly between the conveyor means;

said plate-like element being resiliently deflectable downwardly between the conveyor when in the non-diverting position.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the drop flaps (a) are tiltably deflectable from a pin holding position at least partly blocking the bottom of the bin (30) into a release pin discharging position;

a second locking element (66) is provided, said secnd locking element engaging the drop flap when in one end position to prevent the dropfiap from tilting into the discharge position and, when in another position, permitting release of the drop flap.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 including a verti cally movable member (80) swingable about an essentially vertical axis, said member, when in one position, upon vertical displacement thereof, engaging said second locking element (66) to release the second locking element and permit the tiltable dr'op flap (1-9) to tilt and release a pin and, when in another position, being in non-interfering relation with respect to said second locking element (66) so that, upon vertical movement of the member (80) the second locking element (66) will not be activated and a pin 20 in the bin will not be released.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each drop flap 1-9) has a rest position elevated with respect to the pin holding position;

an engagement element (76) is provided, movable with the flap (9) and located in position to engage and lock the locking element (50) in said locked position when the drop flap is in said rest position;

said drop flap being moved to the pin holding position upon diversion of a pin (20) into the bin (30), movement of the drop flap (9) to the pin holding position releasing the engagement element (76) from engagement with, and locking of the locking element (50) so that the locking element will be placed in unlocked position.

9. Apparatus according to claim 2 further including electrically operable means (100) connected to each of said locking elements (50) for controlling the respective locking elements independently of the drop flaps.

10. Bowling pin loading and delivery apparatus comprising a support frame (10);

bins (30) located on the support frame, each bin being provided with a bottom drop flap (l-9), the bottom drop flap being movable between a pin holding position in which a pin (20) is retained in the bin (30), and a pin discharge position in which a pin (20) is free to drop out of the bottom of the bin (30);

conveyor means (22, 33, 35) carrying the pins (20) past the bins (30) for reception ofa pin (20), each in a bin, the conveyor means being movable along adjacent paths, and in opposite directions in said adjacent paths, and including transfer means (29, 36, 37, 38) located at terminal positions of said adjacent located conveyor means and positioned to transfer bowling pins (20) from a conveyor means moving in one of said paths to a path moving in opposite direction:

pin deflection means (ll-l9) located along the path ofthe conveyor means to deflect pins (20) into the bins (30), the deflecting means being movable between a diverting and a non-diverting position;

the drop flaps {1-9) sensing whether a bin (30) is loaded with a pin (20) or empty, and thus controlling operation of said deflecting means to divert a pin (20) when the bin (30) is empty and to move the deflecting means to non-diverting position when the bin (30) is full;

a plurality of tipping baskets (87) one each located beneath a bin (30) to receive a pin (20) upon moving of the drop flap (1-9) to pin discharge position, said tipping basket including means releasably engaging the neck ofa pin (20) in the basket, and movable to tip about a horizontal axis and deliver a pin (20) in upright position.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a vertically movable frame holding said tipping baskets (87) in position and conjointly moving said tipping baskets to deposit pins located therein and held in vertically, tipped position, the pin engaging means (80) being adapted to release said pins from said tipping baskets after they have been deposited.

12. Bowling pin loading and delivery apparatus comprising a support frame (10);

bins (30) located on the support frame (10), each bin being provided with retaining means (l-9), the retaining means being movable between a pin holding position in which a pin (20) is retained in the bin (30), and a pin discharge position in which a pin (20) can fall out of the bottom of the bin (30);

conveyor means (22, 33, 35) carrying the pins (20) along a common path one behind the other in a pin deflection means (ll-19) located along the path of the conveyor means to deflect pins (20) into the bins (30), the deflecting means being movable between a diverting and a non-diverting position;

sensing means for sensing whether a bin (30) is loaded with a pin (20) or empty and thus controlling operation of said deflecting means (11-19) to divert a pin (20) when the bin (30) is empty and allowing said deflecting means to be moved to nondiverting position when the bin (30) is full;

a plurality of tipping baskets (87), said tipping baskets (87) being one each located beneath a bin (30) to receive a pin (20) upon moving of the retaining means (1-9) to pin discharge position, said tipping basket including means releasably engaging the neck of a pin (20) in the basket, and movable to tip about a horizontal axis and deliver a pin (20) in upright position; and a vertically movable frame holding said tipping baskets (87) in position and conjointly moving said tipping baskets to deposit pins located therein and held in vertically, tipped position, the pin engaging means (80) being adapted to release said pins from said tipping baskets. 

1. Method of loading an automatic bowling pin setting installation having bins allocated to individual bowling pin positions comprising establishing a conveyor path having reversely directed portions and including at least one reversal point; locating the bins at both sides along the reversely directed conveyor path portions; consecutively conveying the bowling pins in a substantially horizontal position in a first direction along a substantially rectilinear portion of said conveyor path; conveying said bowling pins in said substantially horizontal position in a second substantially rectilinear portion of said path extending essentially parallel to said first portion of said path, and in a direction of movement counter said first direction; sensing whether a bin is empty or full; diverting the pins from the portions of said path adjacent a bin first available to receive a pin and inhibiting diversion of a pin wHen conveyed alongside a full bin, as determined by said sensing of the state of the bin; and transferring the pins successively, from the first portion of said path to the second portion of the path.
 2. Bowling pin loading apparatus comprising a support frame (10); bins (30) located on the support frame, each provided with a bottom drop flap (1-9); conveyor means (22, 33, 35) carrying bowling pins (20) past the bins (30) for reception of a pin (20), each in a bin (30); a plurality of pin deflecting means (11-19) located along the path of the conveyor means to deflect pins (20) into the bins (30), the deflecting means being movable between a diverting and a non-diverting position; a locking element (50) engageable with each of the pin deflecting means (11-19) and movable between a locked position in which it locks a respective pin deflecting means (11-19) in diverting position, and an unlocked position in which it is moved in non-interfering position with said deflecting means; resilient means (62) permitting movement of the respective deflecting means into non-diverting position when said locking means is in non-interfering position; the respective drop flap (1-9) being operatively connected to and moving said locking element (50) in non-interfering position when depressed by a pin (20) in a bin (30); and the respective drop flap (1-9) thus sensing whether a bin (30) is loaded with a pin (20) or empty and thus controlling operation of said deflecting means through said locking element to divert a pin when the bin is empty and allowing the deflecting means to be moved to non-diverting position when the bin is full.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the conveyor means comprises oppositely movable twin belt conveyors, each including a pair of parallel travelling endless narrow belt means (22, 33, 35, 44) spaced from each other to carry a bowling pin (20) in horizontal position therebetween; and transfer means (29, 36, 37, 38) located at terminal positions of said oppositely movable twin belt conveyors and positioned to transfer bowling pins from one conveyor to another of said oppositely movable conveyors.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein at least three twin belt conveyors (22, 33, 35) are provided, the center conveyor travelling in a direction opposite to that of the two outside conveyors.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the deflecting means comprises a skewed plate-like element (31) which, when moved into the diverting position, extends obliquely upwardly between the conveyor means; said plate-like element being resiliently deflectable downwardly between the conveyor when in the non-diverting position.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the drop flaps (a) are tiltably deflectable from a pin holding position at least partly blocking the bottom of the bin (30) into a release pin discharging position; a second locking element (66) is provided, said second locking element engaging the drop flap when in one end position to prevent the drop flap from tilting into the discharge position and, when in another position, permitting release of the drop flap.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6 including a vertically movable member (80) swingable about an essentially vertical axis, said member, when in one position, upon vertical displacement thereof, engaging said second locking element (66) to release the second locking element and permit the tiltable drop flap (1-9) to tilt and release a pin (20); and, when in another position, being in non-interfering relation with respect to said second locking element (66) so that, upon vertical movement of the member (80) the second locking element (66) will not be activated and a pin 20 in the bin 30 will not be released.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein each drop flap (1-9) has a rest position elevated with respect to the pin holding position; an engagement element (76) is provided, movable with the flap (9) and located in position to engage and lock the locking element (50) in said locked position when the drop flap is in said rest position; said drop flap being moved to the pin holding position upon diversion of a pin (20) into the bin (30), movement of the drop flap (9) to the pin holding position releasing the engagement element (76) from engagement with, and locking of the locking element (50) so that the locking element will be placed in unlocked position.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 2 further including electrically operable means (100) connected to each of said locking elements (50) for controlling the respective locking elements independently of the drop flaps.
 10. Bowling pin loading and delivery apparatus comprising a support frame (10); bins (30) located on the support frame, each bin being provided with a bottom drop flap (1-9), the bottom drop flap being movable between a pin holding position in which a pin (20) is retained in the bin (30), and a pin discharge position in which a pin (20) is free to drop out of the bottom of the bin (30); conveyor means (22, 33, 35) carrying the pins (20) past the bins (30) for reception of a pin (20), each in a bin, the conveyor means being movable along adjacent paths, and in opposite directions in said adjacent paths, and including transfer means (29, 36, 37, 38) located at terminal positions of said adjacent located conveyor means and positioned to transfer bowling pins (20) from a conveyor means moving in one of said paths to a path moving in opposite direction; pin deflection means (11-19) located along the path of the conveyor means to deflect pins (20) into the bins (30), the deflecting means being movable between a diverting and a non-diverting position; the drop flaps (1-9) sensing whether a bin (30) is loaded with a pin (20) or empty, and thus controlling operation of said deflecting means to divert a pin (20) when the bin (30) is empty and to move the deflecting means to non-diverting position when the bin (30) is full; a plurality of tipping baskets (87) one each located beneath a bin (30) to receive a pin (20) upon moving of the drop flap (1-9) to pin discharge position, said tipping basket including means (80) releasably engaging the neck of a pin (20) in the basket, and movable to tip about a horizontal axis and deliver a pin (20) in upright position.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a vertically movable frame (85) holding said tipping baskets (87) in position and conjointly moving said tipping baskets to deposit pins located therein and held in vertically, tipped position, the pin engaging means (80) being adapted to release said pins from said tipping baskets after they have been deposited.
 12. Bowling pin loading and delivery apparatus comprising a support frame (10); bins (30) located on the support frame (10), each bin being provided with retaining means (1-9), the retaining means being movable between a pin holding position in which a pin (20) is retained in the bin (30), and a pin discharge position in which a pin (20) can fall out of the bottom of the bin (30); conveyor means (22, 33, 35) carrying the pins (20) along a common path one behind the other in a substantially horizontal position, past the bins (30) for reception of a pin (20) each, in a bin, the conveyor means being movable along adjacent substantially rectilinear paths, and in opposite directions in said adjacent paths; pin deflection means (11-19) located along the path of the conveyor means to deflect pins (20) into the bins (30), the deflecting means being movable between a diverting and a non-diverting position; sensing means for sensing whether a bin (30) is loaded with a pin (20) or empty and thus controlling operation of said deflecting means (11-19) to divert a pin (20) when the bin (30) is empty and allowing said deflecting means to be moved to non-diverting position when the bin (30) is full; a plUrality of tipping baskets (87), said tipping baskets (87) being one each located beneath a bin (30) to receive a pin (20) upon moving of the retaining means (1-9) to pin discharge position, said tipping basket including means (80) releasably engaging the neck of a pin (20) in the basket, and movable to tip about a horizontal axis and deliver a pin (20) in upright position; and a vertically movable frame holding said tipping baskets (87) in position and conjointly moving said tipping baskets to deposit pins located therein and held in vertically, tipped position, the pin engaging means (80) being adapted to release said pins from said tipping baskets. 